You are here

Why Liverpool need this exciting talent back and fast

With Phillipe Coutinho ruled out until the end of October due to a shoulder injury, football statistics experts WhoScored.com analyse how important he is to Liverpool's top four hopes. Check out more Liverpool stats at WhoScored.com, but first read all about the brilliant Brazilian and what his injury could mean for the Reds…

Stating Philippe Coutinho is important to Liverpool would be a gargantuan understatement. The Brazilian has become an integral part of the Reds set-up since joining from Inter Milan in January, starting all four of their Premier League games this season as Brendan Rodgers’ side sit at the summit of England’s top tier.

His attacking impetus was evident following his arrival, with his dribbling ability – a WhoScored.com strength of his – an asset to both the player and the club. Coutinho’s drive when in possession has aided him in winning a number of admirers since signing and he has played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s start to the new campaign, assisting in the fluidity of the attack with his ability to carve through the opposition.

Last season saw him adjust to the rigours of the Premier League instantaneously and he has continued his fine end of season form this term, with the absence of Luis Suarez accentuating the effect he has had on the starting XI. So far this season no player has attempted more through balls (eight) than Coutinho, with the 21-year-old finding a team-mate with three of those; a feat also achieved by no other player.

Since signing for Liverpool, Coutinho has created 10 clear-cut chances – no Premier League player has created more – and his average of one every 1.69 matches is unsurprisingly the best of every player to have made at least 10 Premier League appearances over the same period.

Moreover, following his arrival, the youngster has created a clear-cut chance every 124.4 minutes – only West Brom’s Markus Rosenberg (121.3) has been more prolific in that respect of those players to have played 10 or more Premier League games. Not only does this highlight how creative a player Coutinho is, but also how consistent he is when attacking the opposition.

The influence he has in the Liverpool attack was exhibited during the recent 2-2 draw with Swansea City. Before Coutinho was withdrawn with a shoulder injury the Reds played 48 successful passes in the opposition's final third, compared to completing just four in the remaining 35 minutes.

Evidently, the link up play, or lack thereof, hindered Liverpool significantly and allowed Swansea back into the match, with the Swans ending the encounter the stronger of the two teams with Kop striker Daniel Sturridge often left isolated without Coutinho on the pitch. The lack of innovation ensured that little pressure was put on the Swansea defence, and in the end Liverpool were lucky to escape with a draw.

The threat Coutinho possesses can also be highlighted in the fact that the one-time capped Brazilian is Liverpool’s most fouled player (11) this term, opponents all too often taking to dirty tactics to stop him. His average of two successful dribbles, 1.5 key passes and 2.8 shots per game emphasise his attacking threat and the news that he will be ruled out until the end of October following surgery will undoubtedly come as a blow to the club as they aim to secure a top 4 finish for the first time since the 2009/10 season.